The sun set, and the dusk crept into the room; but it was a subject that Hildegarde loved, and she could have talked on forever about her lover.
"Mamma is quite late in returning," she said, at length. "She may not even come home to dinner."
This proved to be the case. Hildegarde and her aunt dined alone. She could not help but notice how her niece watched the clock with the brightest of eyes, the color deepening on her cheeks.
"I shall want to talk with this lover of yours alone," said Miss Fernly, a trifle hoarsely.
"Will you want to talk to him long, auntie?" asked her niece, wistfully.
"Yes, an hour, or perhaps two. I ordered my carriage at seven; it will be here as soon as he arrives. He will drive home with me, and can talk with me in the carriage."
Hildegarde was a little surprised at this announcement, but it did not occur to her to offer any objection.
"Ah, here he comes now!" cried Hildegarde, blushing furiously, all in a flutter of delight.
In a moment it seemed to her that her aunt had donned her hat and mantle. She was at the door as soon as the servant, dragging Hildegarde by the arm.
Eugene Mallard was surprised to see Hildegarde coming to the door to meet him. Then his eyes fell upon the tall, austere woman in the rear.